Chicago Employment

Employment and Industries in the Chicago, Illinois Area

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. The Chicago–Naperville–Joliet metropolitan area is also the third largest metropolitan area in the United States. As with other large metropolitan areas, the Chicago metropolitan area has a tremendous concentration of wealth and commerce. The Chicago metropolitan area is home to over thirty-five Fortune 1000 company headquarters. There are approximately 100 corporate headquarters located in and around Chicago.

Chicago is one of eleven U.S. global cities, also known as world cities or world-class cities, according to the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network. It is ranked as an "Alpha World City". Chicago is one of only three US "Alpha" world cities (the others being Los Angeles and New York). According to Wikipedia, "A... world city... is a city that has a direct and tangible effect on global affairs through socioeconomic, cultural, and/or political means."

Chicago is very centrally located making it an ideal distribution and shipping hub. 50% of all of North American industry is within a one day truck drive of Chicago, and 75% all North American consumers are less than two days away from Chicago. For these reasons, 45% of all available industrial real estate is devoted to warehousing and distribution. According to World Business Chicago, Chicago is the number one distribution center (number one in truck, intermodal, rail, and air distribution) in the United States.

Major industries in the Chicago metropolitan area include:

Advanced telecommunications
Biotechnology
Business services
Financial services
Food processing
Manufacturing
Nanotechnology
Printing and publishing
Technology
Transportation and distribution
Wireless

Chicago is also home to four major financial and futures exchanges, including the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (Merc), as well as the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (the Seventh District of the Federal Reserve).

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Chicago ranks ninth on the list of US cities who receive the most annual funding from the NIH.

Some major companies of note in and around Chicago include:

Abbott Laboratories
Accenture
Ace Hardware
AC Nielsen
Allstate
Baxter International
Boeing
Chicago Board of Trade
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange
Citadel Investment Group
Crate and Barrel
Discover Card (a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley)
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Kraft Foods
McDonald's Corporation
Motorola
OfficeMax
Orbitz
Playboy Enterprises
Quaker Oats
R.R. Donnelley & Sons
Sara Lee
Sears Holdings
Tootsie Roll Industries
Underwriters Laboratories
United Airlines
US Robotics
Walgreens
Zenith Electronics Corporation

Some of the major business organizations in and around Chicago include:

Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Business, and the Business Section of the Chicago Tribune are excellent sources of information on business in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Most Popular Jobs in Chicago, Illinois Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Registered nurses	71,170	67,740	$46,320 - 93,060	24%	56%
2	Elementary school teachers, except special education	50,050	63,980	$35,050 - 99,820	14%	95%
3	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	46,890	70,900	$29,830 - 127,840	8%	51%
4	Accountants and auditors	37,770	70,730	$40,700 - 106,360	18%	79%
5	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	36,260	77,340	$44,060 - 118,740	6%	96%
6	Managers, all other	33,780	103,060	$49,100 -	7%	55%
7	Lawyers	25,350	142,780	$64,900 -	11%	99%
8	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	19,200	65,040	$36,840 - 99,210	11%	95%
9	Management analysts	19,060	91,320	$39,170 - 161,640	22%	78%
10	Computer programmers	17,030	78,130	$46,550 - 119,950	0%	73%
11	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	16,580	71,920	$34,880 - 118,340	12%	51%
12	Financial managers	16,140	123,390	$64,750 -	13%	60%
13	Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	15,380	90,940	$34,760 -	25%	67%
14	Computer software engineers, systems software	14,800	91,370	$47,100 - 131,650	28%	85%
15	Computer software engineers, applications	14,140	88,330	$52,600 - 129,350	45%	85%
16	Sales managers	12,900	110,530	$45,930 -	10%	69%
17	Computer systems analysts	12,330	81,420	$52,710 - 118,680	29%	68%
18	Market research analysts	11,520	61,540	$29,250 - 102,510	20%	82%
19	Network and computer systems administrators	11,170	75,000	$45,070 - 106,640	27%	50%
20	Financial analysts	11,110	93,910	$42,970 -	34%	87%
21	Chief executives	10,160	171,670	$78,430 -	2%	65%
22	Computer and information systems managers	9,710	119,860	$65,660 -	16%	73%
23	Computer specialists, all other	9,490	75,440	$40,250 - 113,730	15%	68%
24	Education, training, and library workers, all other	9,310	47,160	$16,290 - 99,980	11%	79%
25	Financial specialists, all other	8,190	76,570	$31,650 - 140,560	12%	50%
26	Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists	8,000	65,670	$28,040 - 147,230	18%	56%
27	Graphic designers	7,500	49,830	$28,090 - 75,590	10%	55%
28	Child, family, and school social workers	7,270	57,790	$30,500 - 93,340	19%	77%
29	Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	7,140	115,030	$63,910 - 164,380	8%	78%
30	Engineers, all other	6,960	88,270	$51,290 - 133,610	6%	82%
31	Social and human service assistants	6,900	29,170	$17,200 - 43,570	34%	58%
32	Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other	6,670	55,050	$16,080 - 93,700	17%	56%
33	Pharmacists	6,330	99,370	$68,980 - 129,870	22%	97%
34	Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers	6,070	124,930	$58,120 -	13%	74%
35	Sales and related workers, all other	5,970	43,050	$16,170 - 79,690	14%	62%
36	Marketing managers	5,850	117,360	$59,720 -	14%	69%
37	Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation	5,690	54,490	$29,270 - 90,250	5%	58%
38	Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school	5,610	57,680	$31,310 - 93,140	20%	87%
39	Training and development specialists	5,490	57,250	$28,980 - 89,530	18%	56%
40	Network systems and data communications analysts	5,420	74,680	$43,580 - 112,980	53%	57%
41	Educational, vocational, and school counselors	5,370	70,420	$32,630 - 121,200	13%	73%
42	Insurance underwriters	5,320	70,790	$38,860 - 111,010	6%	53%
43	Medical and health services managers	5,260	87,430	$48,440 - 136,830	16%	57%
44	Public relations specialists	5,180	57,360	$29,140 - 95,250	18%	81%
45	Mechanical engineers	5,150	75,990	$47,630 - 109,840	4%	78%
46	Librarians	5,050	64,420	$35,400 - 102,870	4%	85%
47	Civil engineers	5,010	79,140	$48,090 - 114,830	18%	87%
48	Editors	4,770	56,690	$35,450 - 85,320	2%	81%
49	Engineering managers	4,680	113,400	$66,280 - 162,980	7%	84%
50	Advertising sales agents	4,670	55,920	$22,460 - 96,790	20%	56%
51	Industrial engineers	4,600	74,780	$45,130 - 106,980	20%	74%
52	Physical therapists	4,540	82,810	$53,600 - 120,290	27%	89%
53	Speech-language pathologists	4,460	68,060	$36,310 - 101,870	11%	98%
54	Architects, except landscape and naval	4,450	73,130	$40,240 - 116,920	18%	88%
55	Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	4,190	40,040	$25,420 - 61,390	15%	51%
56	Medical and clinical laboratory technologists	3,850	51,370	$29,750 - 68,450	12%	51%
57	Database administrators	3,810	75,120	$44,440 - 114,810	29%	72%
58	Personal financial advisors	3,690	95,690	$37,650 -	41%	81%
59	Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists	3,660	61,880	$40,020 - 87,290	18%	56%
60	Electrical engineers	3,640	85,460	$56,190 - 120,680	6%	81%
61	Coaches and scouts	3,630	35,250	$15,880 - 61,420	15%	60%
62	Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other	3,610	51,270	$27,380 - 95,050	15%	72%
63	Social workers, all other	3,570	53,690	$30,770 - 78,970	18%	77%
64	Instructional coordinators	3,390	56,760	$30,090 - 93,390	23%	79%
65	Mental health counselors	3,210	41,840	$26,000 - 61,330	30%	73%
66	Community and social service specialists, all other	3,170	39,210	$19,110 - 67,320	25%	58%
67	Dentists, general	3,060	152,290	$73,600 -	9%	100%
68	Electronics engineers, except computer	3,000	85,000	$56,050 - 121,570	4%	81%
69	Occupational therapists	2,840	74,560	$39,020 - 105,630	23%	90%
70	Special education teachers, middle school	2,820	58,100	$39,680 - 78,950	16%	87%
71	Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists	2,790	73,170	$35,200 - 121,240	16%	99%
72	Credit analysts	2,700	72,130	$37,010 - 121,710	2%	60%
73	Physicists	2,670	118,810	$71,200 -	7%	95%
74	Human resources managers, all other	2,630	108,230	$55,990 -	11%	58%
75	Mental health and substance abuse social workers	2,610	40,510	$25,870 - 60,020	30%	77%
76	Special education teachers, secondary school	2,570	72,640	$39,720 - 117,220	9%	87%
77	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors	2,410	36,540	$21,210 - 58,360	34%	73%
78	Medical and public health social workers	2,310	55,590	$29,920 - 81,200	24%	77%
79	Tax preparers	2,260	36,610	$17,630 - 57,950	0%	54%
80	Social and community service managers	2,210	59,580	$34,000 - 89,160	25%	72%
81	Interior designers	2,210	51,980	$30,040 - 80,420	20%	55%
82	Meeting and convention planners	2,110	51,330	$29,130 - 78,550	20%	67%
83	Purchasing managers	2,050	88,180	$47,180 - 132,730	3%	57%
84	Advertising and promotions managers	1,980	88,840	$44,380 - 151,450	6%	76%
85	Detectives and criminal investigators	1,980	75,930	$49,600 - 101,900	17%	54%
86	Legislators	1,810	40,200	$15,660 - 100,470	1%	65%
87	Education administrators, postsecondary	1,800	98,180	$41,090 -	14%	78%
88	Rehabilitation counselors	1,740	39,490	$25,440 - 63,400	23%	73%
89	Chemists	1,630	70,000	$39,570 - 108,500	9%	93%
90	Budget analysts	1,580	79,670	$48,890 - 110,900	7%	78%
91	Public relations managers	1,550	95,230	$47,440 - 163,970	17%	75%
92	Operations research analysts	1,540	71,160	$46,170 - 102,650	11%	71%
93	Merchandise displayers and window trimmers	1,510	29,430	$18,090 - 40,920	11%	55%
94	Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists	1,480	56,570	$43,570 - 76,550	11%	58%
95	Compensation and benefits managers	1,470	85,450	$52,300 - 131,160	12%	58%
96	Environmental engineers	1,450	79,140	$31,120 - 112,320	25%	86%
97	Surveyors	1,450	65,880	$36,210 - 96,760	24%	82%
98	Reporters and correspondents	1,430	42,700	$16,310 - 82,280	1%	85%
99	Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	1,410	75,160	$42,130 - 115,030	25%	93%
100	Therapists, all other	1,390	44,750	$20,550 - 67,680	10%	83%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Retail salespersons	122,290	25,390	$16,200 - 38,890	12%	25%
2	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	86,210	25,200	$16,190 - 39,160	2%	5%
3	Cashiers	85,350	19,510	$15,930 - 25,050	-2%	10%
4	Office clerks, general	72,040	28,300	$16,660 - 41,140	13%	19%
5	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	66,920	26,330	$16,460 - 39,670	15%	4%
6	Customer service representatives	65,970	36,960	$21,920 - 57,280	25%	22%
7	Business operations specialists, all other	64,450	65,650	$26,080 - 118,070	21%	49%
8	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	55,230	18,020	$15,860 - 21,280	18%	5%
9	Stock clerks and order fillers	53,210	22,930	$16,240 - 33,070	-7%	8%
10	Waiters and waitresses	49,840	20,920	$15,850 - 32,490	11%	14%
11	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	49,430	46,500	$29,600 - 65,830	15%	18%
12	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	43,780	36,800	$23,810 - 51,300	13%	16%
13	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	41,980	32,780	$20,410 - 47,690	1%	18%
14	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	38,880	45,250	$29,830 - 63,280	10%	4%
15	Security guards	38,420	25,630	$17,340 - 37,100	17%	13%
16	Packers and packagers, hand	38,360	21,290	$16,040 - 30,880	-11%	3%
17	General and operations managers	37,750	125,540	$56,220 -	2%	48%
18	Team assemblers	36,650	24,990	$16,080 - 37,720	0%	5%
19	Construction laborers	35,800	43,970	$16,150 - 79,120	11%	5%
20	Receptionists and information clerks	34,660	27,590	$18,210 - 38,270	17%	13%
21	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	34,320	56,260	$30,820 - 84,550	6%	29%
22	Food preparation workers	32,880	20,290	$16,030 - 26,030	15%	7%
23	Maintenance and repair workers, general	31,470	43,180	$23,730 - 65,170	10%	6%
24	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	31,240	24,650	$17,830 - 32,520	18%	7%
25	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	30,250	43,720	$21,900 - 70,760	4%	25%
26	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	25,700	30,350	$18,840 - 45,310	4%	6%
27	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	25,070	33,550	$18,200 - 55,460	8%	4%
28	Carpenters	24,910	63,520	$34,740 - 86,000	10%	6%
29	Police and sheriff's patrol officers	22,520	68,900	$40,100 - 94,580	11%	33%
30	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	22,260	26,650	$17,270 - 37,910	18%	6%
31	Teacher assistants	22,150	23,050	$16,100 - 32,020	10%	18%
32	Office and administrative support workers, all other	21,410	34,860	$16,320 - 53,500	-8%	32%
33	Maids and housekeeping cleaners	21,350	21,480	$16,370 - 29,540	13%	5%
34	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	20,930	56,280	$26,130 - 87,040	-4%	15%
35	Production workers, all other	20,770	30,380	$16,100 - 49,760	2%	5%
36	Cooks, restaurant	19,360	22,990	$16,540 - 30,870	12%	5%
37	Machinists	19,120	37,310	$20,120 - 56,150	-2%	3%
38	Industrial truck and tractor operators	18,790	31,810	$20,250 - 46,720	-1%	2%
39	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	18,140	43,730	$21,010 - 70,430	14%	4%
40	Electricians	18,100	69,640	$43,330 - 89,020	7%	7%
41	Tellers	18,020	25,720	$18,550 - 33,560	14%	16%
42	Home health aides	17,890	22,610	$16,530 - 33,130	49%	7%
43	Helpers--production workers	17,750	22,390	$16,040 - 32,570	0%	4%
44	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	17,710	33,800	$20,410 - 50,270	11%	14%
45	Sales representatives, services, all other	17,660	67,020	$27,610 - 125,900	28%	48%
46	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	15,420	18,310	$15,600 - 23,660	10%	8%
47	Cooks, fast food	14,960	18,280	$15,850 - 23,030	8%	5%
48	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	14,960	35,310	$24,380 - 48,320	4%	15%
49	Computer support specialists	14,530	52,820	$31,020 - 80,250	13%	43%
50	Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	14,520	25,750	$16,260 - 40,230	-4%	5%
51	Bartenders	14,260	21,510	$15,900 - 32,570	11%	17%
52	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	14,080	19,190	$15,920 - 24,820	12%	6%
53	Bill and account collectors	13,350	34,950	$22,290 - 49,790	23%	13%
54	Personal and home care aides	13,310	19,590	$16,050 - 24,870	51%	10%
55	Dishwashers	13,230	17,800	$15,890 - 20,730	10%	3%
56	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	12,450	74,620	$47,110 - 100,250	11%	4%
57	Data entry keyers	12,370	26,590	$16,630 - 37,980	-4%	18%
58	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	12,310	33,510	$18,640 - 52,070	-6%	14%
59	Counter and rental clerks	12,150	23,750	$16,090 - 34,590	23%	16%
60	Fire fighters	12,090	55,980	$23,150 - 87,310	12%	18%
61	Loan officers	12,080	68,110	$30,070 - 114,360	12%	49%
62	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	11,990	45,330	$34,370 - 57,470	14%	7%
63	Postsecondary teachers, all other	11,300	78,130	$16,220 - 154,040	0%	0%
64	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	11,160	26,920	$16,200 - 42,110	12%	6%
65	Bus drivers, school	10,490	28,720	$17,260 - 40,980	9%	4%
66	Legal secretaries	10,370	46,520	$28,270 - 67,830	12%	18%
67	Medical assistants	10,290	31,000	$22,220 - 41,390	35%	10%
68	Assemblers and fabricators, all other	10,020	30,490	$15,990 - 57,150	-8%	5%
69	Postal service mail carriers	9,990			1%	11%
70	Pharmacy technicians	9,700	28,950	$21,480 - 38,550	32%	16%
71	Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	9,590	30,430	$17,840 - 47,070	-14%	0%
72	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	9,510	70,730	$41,560 - 103,790	7%	13%
73	First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	9,350	89,210	$40,980 - 161,790	4%	38%
74	Medical secretaries	9,260	36,600	$24,040 - 52,220	17%	18%
75	Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators	9,220	66,790	$37,560 - 100,710	9%	47%
76	Child care workers	9,080	23,190	$16,170 - 31,700	18%	15%
77	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	8,810	20,050	$16,020 - 24,980	10%	17%
78	Recreation workers	8,770	24,040	$16,190 - 35,470	13%	47%
79	Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors	8,770	34,710	$16,320 - 65,480	27%	47%
80	Administrative services managers	8,620	69,820	$30,030 - 120,440	12%	40%
81	Insurance sales agents	8,590	68,550	$27,300 - 136,080	13%	45%
82	Flight attendants	8,490	33,410	$21,040 - 49,250	11%	31%
83	Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers	8,330	56,830	$35,280 - 74,270	3%	13%
84	Preschool teachers, except special education	8,300	28,720	$19,030 - 40,010	26%	43%
85	Dental assistants	8,230	32,810	$23,850 - 42,340	29%	9%
86	Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators	8,230			-7%	12%
87	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	8,220	22,140	$16,020 - 32,450	14%	3%
88	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	8,130	82,750	$47,700 - 114,070	9%	10%
89	Healthcare support workers, all other	8,090	33,650	$20,790 - 48,440	16%	10%
90	Production, planning, and expediting clerks	7,980	45,410	$26,260 - 65,920	4%	30%
91	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	7,690	25,460	$17,770 - 34,890	11%	5%
92	Printing machine operators	7,470	33,050	$18,240 - 53,860	-5%	6%
93	Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products	7,390	61,520	$35,960 - 93,710	0%	42%
94	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	7,360	35,580	$20,740 - 55,590	5%	2%
95	Motor vehicle operators, all other	7,200	37,040	$16,710 - 74,220	11%	0%
96	Payroll and timekeeping clerks	7,150	39,570	$27,410 - 54,520	3%	18%
97	Driver/sales workers	7,100	35,890	$16,280 - 60,490	-4%	4%
98	Physicians and surgeons, all other	7,040	141,580	$47,070 -	0%	0%
99	Order clerks	6,950	32,320	$18,690 - 48,010	-23%	16%
100	First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand	6,920	48,880	$28,460 - 74,890	13%	17%

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Argosy University
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Business And Management, Education And Teaching, Family And Social Work, Liberal Arts, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Medicine, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Doctorate, Master
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Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Cooking And Culinary Arts
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Certificate
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Coyne American Institute
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Diploma
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DeVry University
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Design, Engineering, Engineering Technician, Leisure, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor
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Everest College
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Basic Skills, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Design, Engineering Technician, Family And Social Work, Hospitality, Law, Liberal Arts, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Office And Administration, Religion And Philosophy, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Coursework, Diploma, Non-Degree
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Harrington College of Design
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Design, Media, Photography And Commercial Art
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor
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Illinois School of Health Careers
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine
Degrees/Course Work: Diploma
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International Academy of Design and Technology
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Design, Leisure, Media, Photography And Commercial Art
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Diploma
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Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Education And Teaching, Engineering Technician, Family And Social Work, Medical Administration
Degrees/Course Work: Certificate, Master
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Kendall College
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Business And Management, Cooking And Culinary Arts, Education And Teaching, Hospitality
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate
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Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Cooking And Culinary Arts, Hospitality
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma
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The Art Institutes
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Construction Trades, Cooking And Culinary Arts, Design, Engineering Technician, Family And Social Work, Fine Arts, Hospitality, Leisure, Media, Music, Photography And Commercial Art
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Coursework, Diploma, Non-Degree
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The Soma Institute
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Diploma
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Westwood College
Chicago, Illinois

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Design, Education And Teaching, Engineering Technician, Law, Leisure, Mechanics And Repair, Medical Support And Technology, Real Estate And Construction Management, Security And Law Enforcement
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Diploma, Master
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Jobs More Common Near Chicago Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs	Pop. vs. Avg.*
Railroad conductors and yardmasters	57,630	160	28.2
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators	57,170	380	24.9
Rail transportation workers, all other		400	22.1
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers	32,740	440	16.3
Musical instrument repairers and tuners	44,800	350	14.9
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators		280	11.9
Physicists	118,810	2,670	8.3
Rail car repairers	38,700	790	7.7
Religious workers, all other	38,500	450	7.3
Forest and conservation workers	46,640	180	7.1
Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers	38,470	760	6.9
Building cleaning workers, all other		370	6.5
Flight attendants	33,410	8,490	5.3
Coil winders, tapers, and finishers	26,910	1,550	5
Orthotists and prosthetists	70,620	170	4.9
Model makers, metal and plastic	52,780	450	4.9
Therapists, all other	44,750	1,390	4.8
Sewers, hand	23,750	370	4.8
Airfield operations specialists		390	4.8
Designers, all other	67,680	960	4.7
Shoe and leather workers and repairers	25,600	280	4.7
Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders	29,770	960	4.7
Woodworkers, all other	24,920	470	4.6
Orthodontists	195,690	140	4.4
Education, training, and library workers, all other	47,160	9,310	4.4
Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters	19,060	2,100	4.4
Food preparation and serving related workers, all other	22,600	4,940	4.3
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers	44,370	350	4.2
Grounds maintenance workers, all other	28,460	590	4.2
Food cooking machine operators and tenders	23,840	2,960	4.1
Occupational therapist aides	28,110	340	4.1
Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other	24,930	620	4
Materials scientists	91,240	690	3.9
Aircraft cargo handling supervisors	51,550	340	3.8
Archivists	52,320	340	3.8
Etchers and engravers	33,580	480	3.7
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers	124,930	6,070	3.6
Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants	22,060	1,660	3.6
Motor vehicle operators, all other	37,040	7,200	3.5
Cooks, all other	27,150	920	3.5
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes	82,100	690	3.3
Production workers, all other	30,380	20,770	3.3
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	30,840	2,100	3.2
Shampooers	19,530	1,110	3.2
Food scientists and technologists	76,480	430	3.2
Managers, all other	103,060	33,780	3.1
Social work teachers, postsecondary	63,880	300	3
Public address system and other announcers	58,660	390	3
Office and administrative support workers, all other	34,860	21,410	3
Patternmakers, metal and plastic	38,340	170	2.8

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Chicago, Illinois Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Salary Index *	Local Jobs
Helpers, construction trades, all other	64,430	2.39	340
Hazardous materials removal workers	70,090	1.82	340
Photographers	56,060	1.78	1,860
Pipelayers	64,020	1.75	310
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	74,650	1.74	6,430
Construction and related workers, all other	62,780	1.72	730
Drywall and ceiling tile installers	65,420	1.7	2,050
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators	60,340	1.67	520
Glaziers	66,010	1.67	980
Structural iron and steel workers	75,990	1.67	1,420
Plasterers and stucco masons	66,070	1.66	150
Cement masons and concrete finishers	61,340	1.66	4,430
Stonemasons	72,280	1.64	130
Reinforcing iron and rebar workers	68,450	1.62	1,120
Carpenters	63,520	1.62	24,910
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	74,620	1.62	12,450
Public address system and other announcers	58,660	1.58	390
Tile and marble setters	65,300	1.58	1,380
Motion picture projectionists	36,400	1.58	230
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers	103,780	1.56	2,460
Brickmasons and blockmasons	70,940	1.56	4,400
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters	45,930	1.55	1,040
Sheet metal workers	63,780	1.53	4,520
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators	59,000	1.52	700
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	77,340	1.51	36,260
Carpet installers	63,370	1.5	1,570
Tapers	69,750	1.5	1,070
Electricians	69,640	1.49	18,100
Painters, construction and maintenance	50,790	1.48	6,330
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons	35,610	1.47	280
Agricultural equipment operators	36,540	1.47	120
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door	67,460	1.47	360
Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers	38,470	1.45	760
Electrical and electronics drafters	76,810	1.45	580
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators	58,700	1.44	1,230
Protective service workers, all other	44,450	1.43	1,050
Forest and conservation workers	46,640	1.43	180
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	82,750	1.42	8,130
Child, family, and school social workers	57,790	1.42	7,270
Police and sheriff's patrol officers	68,900	1.42	22,520
Construction laborers	43,970	1.41	35,800
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	115,030	1.41	7,140
Special education teachers, secondary school	72,640	1.41	2,570
Designers, all other	67,680	1.41	960
Property, real estate, and community association managers	75,210	1.41	3,600
Riggers	61,220	1.41	380
Helpers--carpenters	36,430	1.4	1,680
Lawyers	142,780	1.39	25,350
Highway maintenance workers	48,920	1.39	2,290
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators	95,790	1.39	140

Highest Paying Jobs in Chicago, Illinois Metro Area (2008 data)

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs
Orthodontists	195,690	140
Surgeons	181,090	1,880
Anesthesiologists	180,600	1,410
Obstetricians and gynecologists	176,120	330
Chief executives	171,670	10,160
Internists, general	164,500	1,630
Dentists, general	152,290	3,060
Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers	144,520
Lawyers	142,780	25,350
Physicians and surgeons, all other	141,580	7,040
Family and general practitioners	141,350	2,040
Air traffic controllers	137,060	870
General and operations managers	125,540	37,750
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers	124,930	6,070
Financial managers	123,390	16,140
Psychiatrists	122,230	300
Law teachers, postsecondary	121,830	50
Computer and information systems managers	119,860	9,710
Physicists	118,810	2,670
Marketing managers	117,360	5,850
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	115,030	7,140
Engineering managers	113,400	4,680
Sales managers	110,530	12,900
Pediatricians, general	109,470	440
Natural sciences managers	109,150	460
Human resources managers, all other	108,230	2,630
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers	103,780	2,460
Managers, all other	103,060	33,780
Construction managers	102,790	3,660
Aerospace engineers	102,530	70
Nuclear engineers	101,620
Economists	100,840	380
Optometrists	100,580	1,120
Pharmacists	99,370	6,330
Chiropractors	99,060	1,080
Education administrators, postsecondary	98,180	1,800
Podiatrists	97,990	260
Computer and information scientists, research	97,840
Physical scientists, all other	96,460	510
Industrial production managers	95,900	3,430
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators	95,790	140
Personal financial advisors	95,690	3,690
Public relations managers	95,230	1,550
Education administrators, all other	94,070	280
Financial analysts	93,910	11,110
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	93,560	780
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives	93,470	3,530
Actuaries	92,850	660
Computer hardware engineers	92,530	920
Computer software engineers, systems software	91,370	14,800

Large Companies Headquartered in Chicago

Company	Revenue 2005 (billions)
Boeing	54.8
Sara Lee	19.7
Exelon	15.4
Aon	10
R.R. Donnelley & Sons	8.7
Smurfit-Stone Container	8.4
Ryerson	5.8
Tribune	5.6
USG	5.1
Wm. Wrigley Jr.	4.2
Old Republic Intl.	3.8
Northern Trust Corp.	3.6
Equity Office Properties	3.2
General Growth Properties	3.1
Unitrin	3
Peoples Energy	2.6
Equity Residential	2
True Value	2
Metal Management	1.7

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